Squid Game

오징어 게임 ‧ Drama ‧ 2021
Completed
torochii
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.0

Average for it's genre.

Don't get me wrong, this is a pretty decent show. But at the same time the ending didn't satisfied me at all.
It ended like this in order to have more seasons ofc but idk... for me it lacked smt.

Survival movies or tv shows are never a concept i find revolutionary, so i think it's pretty funny how of all the kdramas out there, this one is the most watched on Netflix. Not only that but it's the TOP2 most watched shows on Netlix of all time.
I understand everything and all that, but if i ever survived such a crazy hell i would either end up killing myself regardless or just really living and doing everything i've ever wanted. Might as well... what's the worst that can happen?

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Completed
kdramakitty
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 13, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

yeah. Worth the hype.

I wasn't wowed by the first episode of this drama, nor entirely enchanted by the second. But by the end of the second episode I thought... dang, okay, fine, I guess I want to keep watching. And I'm glad I did.
The most thrilling and emotional parts of this show took place within the game itself. The games are simple children's games, but are games that don't necessarily require skill. Most of the time, it's luck; which number you drew, which shape you got, that sort of thing. The game purports to be 'fair', but it's only fair in the way that real life is fair. You're stuck with the cards you've been given. The poor characters take part in the game because the real world is so terrible for them that the game is the best alternative they've got. Sadly, some even think they can win, despite (as we've discussed) the games being largely luck-based.
The characters are mostly pretty decent in this. The main character, Gi Hoon, is initially kind of a piece of trash, but you realize that he's a gambling addict, and this leads to him hurting the people he loves. He's not an inherently bad person who wants to hurt others, and you see that come out in the game, where he's one of the kinder people there. The rest of the cast are also great, not a weak performance in sight. I'd say the cop's plotline and character are mildly confusing and vague and you're just not that emotionally invested in it compared to everyone else. The show continues to get better and better as the games keep going and people die.
People die in very emotionally impacting ways, and I think they did all the character deaths very well. They often feel different too; whether it's because it was accidental, somebody cheated so they lost, or just bad luck. And the deaths can weirdly almost feel like a part of their character arcs. I don't know how the writers pulled it off but they did it well.
tl;dr it's really worth watching because it's not just trashy fun, it has so much to say about the unfairness of the systems in this world that keep poor people down. I'm not sure I'd rewatch it because it's so emotionally overwhelming at times but it is super good.

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Completed
Aljellixy
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 1, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures or do they?

I really liked how this showed some realities of the lengths that people would go for the allure of money. Yes, even risking their lives despite not knowing much of what would happen with each game.

Each game really kept one at the edge of their seat or hugging a pillow as I did for the most part of this show. I think a reason why this is a show that is really trending is not just the story line which is really well-written by the way, it is also because of how the different characters are portrayed. You see their backstories and understand the desperation that fuels their drive to complete each game. Kudos to the actors who really did a good job at making us love or hate their character!

Something I didn't like though was how they made me think differently of the waltz that I used to dance to. Hehe. All in all, it was a good show although I don't think I can handle watching it again unlike with Alice in Borderland for some reason.

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Completed
Carrotcandy
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 26, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.5

Current rating is spot on

I don't normally trust the rating here in MDL because we all have different preference but this time i do agree that this series is good but not so great.

I like the first episode. It left a lasting impression similar to the Titanic movie where the band kept playing while the ship was sinking. It was captivating and sad.

The story is like building a matchstick tower, there's a feeling of fear and excitement as you build up hoping that you'll be able to use your last matchstick without it collapsing. But the storyline were not able to hold its standing. It eventually collapse in the end and did not meet the expectations of a good ending. The main game was ruined by too much talk and less play time. Well, good luck to season 2 where matchstick building will start again.

The main lead is too much, his acting is OTT and you can't feel his sincerity. Whereas Park Hae-Soo and Ho Yeon Jung played their role brilliantly.

Cinematography and music are in sync to the storyline. Overall, its a good watch but except for the first episode, i don't think i will watch it again.

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Dropped 2/9
Krizklid
2 people found this review helpful
Jan 24, 2023
2 of 9 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 1.5
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 1.5
Music 1.5
Rewatch Value 1.5
一部被网飞炒作起来的垃圾剧。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

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Completed
Melania Cruz
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

“Winner!”

Synopsis: A story about cash-strapped contestants competing in children’s games with only 2 outcomes - either $38M in cash or death in a flash.

If you’re browsing audience reviews to decide whether or not to watch this Netflix exclusive then my quick answer is, “Yes, go for it!” If you want to know the reasons why then read on:

1. Ranked # 1 in the list of Netflix’s most popular shows in 90 countries.
2. Insane plot initially conceptualized in 2008 but rejected several times for more than a decade eventually turning into a worldwide phenomenon, is enough to stir up anybody’s curiosity.
3. Brilliant multitasker Hwang Dong Hyuk was both the writer and director so nothing was “lost in translation”, enabling the storyline to be directly translated into actions and emotions just as it had been intended by the original storyteller.
4. Superb acting all around, from the lead characters to the supporting cast, even the cameo roles. It did not matter whether they are seasoned actors or rookies, superstars or not so well-known. Their acting talents were all at par. Their competencies were same level. And just how impressive were they? Well for one, Ho Yeon Jung, a first-time actress with a following of 400K on Instagram pre-Squid Game era is currently the most followed Korean actress with 23.7M followers, and counting! If her acting was lackluster or lame then these 23 million new fans of hers wouldn’t have clicked “Follow” on social media. *Note: There is an exception to this praiseworthy acting group which is explained below.
5. Captivating set design and enthralling art direction with minimal use of CGI for a more realistic and riveting effect.
6. Gruesome, grotesque and gory scenes are not really my thing but somehow the treatment of these scenes was done in a creatively tricky and insidious way so they did not make me shut my eyes in fear nor give me nightmares at night.
7. Bizarre oxymoron with the most extreme contradictions. How can seemingly harmless children’s games be played with blatantly harmful results? How can an innocent looking doll cause carnage or a whimsical playground transform into a bloodbath? Quite disturbing, nonetheless, impactful.
8. Genius musical score using familiar classical music to tone down the shock factor. Instead of hearing suspenseful tones as a warning that something dreadful is about to happen you hear soothingly nostalgic melodies such as “Fly Me To The Moon”. Weird, but somehow it worked brilliantly.
9. Not annoyingly commercialized with no glaring product placements nor subliminal endorsements. Even the actors’ length of screen time was not exploitative. Those in the superstar level like Gong Yoo and Lee Byung Hun had minimum exposure, while neophytes Ho Yeon Jung and Anupam Tripathi were highly visible. The creators did not have to heavily rely on A-listers to gain widespread popularity.
10. In spite it being a purely Korean presentation there were ironically no communication and cultural barriers which brought about its global appeal. It vividly showcased how human frailties and imperfections bear no nationality.

Now for the constructive criticisms:

1. Illogical instances when the players were demanding the guards to implement fairness and show compassion such as allowing them to use the toilet during bedtime or stopping contestants embroiled in a fist fight. How can they expect civility and morality in a place where wanton killings were casually occurring on a daily basis?
2. VIPs’ contrived dialogues; the fake and forced delivery of their lines made me cringe and wonder if the reason why they were wearing elaborate masks was to hide their identities with all that shameful acting. The otherwise meticulous Korean director should have hired English speaking advisers who could have provided him with feedback as to how unnatural the foreign actors sounded.
3. Unrealistic ending where the protagonist suddenly became pious and honorable after a lifetime of wayward and contemptible behavior. After all the trouble (and near-death experiences) he went through, he decides not to savor his reward. Spending $10 out of a $38M jackpot did not make absolute sense!

Final verdict: 10 positives versus 3 negatives is still a WIN.

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Completed
lyriabrokenwings
7 people found this review helpful
Oct 3, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 6.5
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 2.0

Roteiro nada original e sem surpresas

Uma série coreana chegando no topo do Netflix é uma raridade, então muitos estão assistindo Squid Game mais por curiosidade do que pelo interesse em si. Como eu acho que cada um precisa tirar suas próprias conclusões vou listar alguns pontos que podem ajudá-lo a decidir se essa série é para você ou não.

Produção/ fotografia: logo de início dá para perceber que o alto investimento financeiro da série valeu a pena em termos de produção, os cenários, o figurino e a fotografia são impecáveis, na minha opinião o ponto alto da série.

Storyline: não é nada original, já vimos essa receita de um monte de gente presa em um lugar, onde são obrigados a competir em jogos mortais, não é mesmo? A trama é previsível, não tem plot twists e para aqueles que gostam, e estão acostumados a assistir séries de suspense, dá para desvendar quase tudo na metade da série e assistir só para confirmar.

Personagens: a série não tem nenhum personagem cativante o suficiente para fazer com que o espectador sofra e se compadeça de seus problemas (e sua morte). A construção de personagens é importante para manter o interesse, para despertar sentimentos, para torcer por ele ou contra ele.

Trilha sonora: nos primeiros episódios é interessante como eles colocam alguns clássicos, porém não há uma trilha sonora que embale a série e ajude a construir aquela sensação de antecipação, tipo um hino como em psicose.

Minha opinião: essa é uma série para puro entretenimento, com um ritmo mais americano, onde você assiste para passar o tempo, mas ela não agrega nada e não desperta fortes emoções. Eu gosto muito de séries de ação e suspense, então essa parte deixou bastante a desejar, confesso que quase dormi nos 2 primeiros episódios e esperava que meu coração acelerasse mais nos jogos, mas a previsibilidade me deixou quase que sem expressão. Como eu sou uma dorameira me senti na obrigação de assistir, mas acredito que nesse ano fomos abençoados com thrillers maravilhosos que merecem muito mais reconhecimento do que Squid Game (assistam Taxi Driver, Beyond Evil e Mouse). Agora se você gosta desse tipo de temática e só está buscando uma série para passar o tempo, pode ser que adore esse drama. Cada pessoa tem uma preferência.

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Completed
Miyu
5 people found this review helpful
Sep 27, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

L'art de Netflix d'américaniser les dramas... ^^'

« Squid Game » est un série comme on en voit beaucoup depuis quelques années : un Death Game/Survival. Il s’agit d’une mode qui a touché le continent asiatique comme américain & à laquelle nous ne pouvons réchapper ^^.

Me voici donc lancée dans ce nouveau Death Game qui m’annonce du « lourd » de par sa bande annonce. Cependant, très vite, nous nous rendons compte que le schéma ne sera pas différent des autres dramas de ce genre (comme pour « Alice in Borderland » également produit par Netflix). C’est ainsi que nous retrouvons l’éternelle bande de personnages considérés comme « nuisibles » par la société qui finit dans un jeu où la plupart perdra non seulement leur humanité mais également leur vie… (Ba oui, après tout, c’est le principe d’un Death Game x’D !!)

Donc finalement, en quoi ce drama se démarque-t-il ?
• Les jeux utilisés pour ce « Death Game » sont des jeux d’enfants… (Et oui, cela devient quelque peu traumatique d’imaginer que des jeux pratiqués en toute innocente deviennent la cause de nombreux morts… Les coréens ne reculent vraiment devant rien ! x’D)
• Des hommes masqués qui surveillent le bon déroulement des jeux. Ces derniers portent des symboles sur le faciès afin de définir leur place dans la hiérarchie. (Dans l’ordre de hiérarchie : le rond, le triangle, le carré, le sans symbole & finalement les masques d’animaux)
o Cerise sur le gâteau… Un des membres imminents du jeu s’est glissé parmi les candidats afin de participer aux différents jeux… (Il y a vraiment des malades partout =D)
• Les décors sont étonnamment bien réalisés. Je retiendrai particulièrement les nombreux escaliers avec des portes sans fin =D !

Finalement me voici à la fin du drama mais de nombreuses questions sont restées sans réponses… En voici quelques-unes :
• Qui est réellement derrière tout ça ? Car les VIP (qui sont des américains) font la remarque que les parties en Corée sont les meilleures… (Ce qui sous-entend que le groupe de personnes réalisant ces Death Game est bien plus large que ce que l’on nous montre…)
o On nous dit que le jeu a été créé par ennui des gens qui ont trop d’argent… Et puis ? On ne nous donne aucune réelle justification x).
• Pourquoi faire rentrer un policier dans l’infrastructure du jeu… Le laisser évoluer & graviter autour du jeu si c’est pour le faire tuer à l’avant dernier épisode ? (En prime, par son frère ? Encore une fois, on ne nous donne aucune réelle explication…)
• …

Et parlons de cette fin s’il-vous-plaît !!! Netflix a vraiment l’art de nous laisser sur des fins qui ne n’en sont pas réellement… Je finis donc encore une fois, frustrée en finissant cette histoire… (Comme souvent hein ! Puisque Netflix aime ce genre de fin x’D)

En somme, « Squid Game » est un Death Game des plus classique produit par Netflix… (On ne peut d’ailleurs pas douter que cela soit l’une de leur production… Pourquoi ? Car nous retrouvons le genre de scènes que je fuis dans les séries américaines… En gros… Principalement du sexe & des hommes plus misogynes les uns que les autres… x’D !)
Vous l’aurez compris, ce drama n’apporte rien de nouveau au genre & se campe même dans les fondamentaux…
Néanmoins, il reste plaisant à voir & découvrir pour les non-initiés comme les initiés !

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Completed
NotYourKyun
4 people found this review helpful
Sep 29, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 6.0

Interessante, intrigante mas só no começo.

História:
O início conta bem a situação do nosso protagonista, que está num mar de dívidas, é sustentado pela mãe e não não consegue ser um bom pai para a própria filha (ele tenta seu máximo, mas ele vê que a falta de dinheiro é o problema), até que um dia, um ser estranho na estação de metrô, o chama pra jogar um jogo, lhe oferecendo dinheiro caso ele o vença. Ele consegue depois de algumas tentativas (e alguns tapas kkk) e se anima com a ideia de ganhar dinheiro jogando. Ele recebeu logo após o jogo, um cartão de visita daquele homem misterioso e, animado, decide entrar em contato. E bem, é aí que começa a bagaceira...

Elenco:
Muitos dos atores eu não conhecia, mas todos foram excepcionais, sem exceção! Amei cada um do começo ao fim, entregaram um ótimo trabalho!

Meu ponto de vista:
A história é sim muito boa, mas infelizmente o contexto e os motivos para as coisas "terminarem" daquele jeito, é simplesmente forçada, sem graça e desumana (aliás, é desumano do começo ao fim), até.
O que realmente me interessou nessa obra como um todo, foram realmente todas as mensagens e questionamentos que ela quer passar, como a velha expressão "caixão não tem gaveta", que você pode ter tudo na vida e nada ao mesmo tempo, que o ser humano é capaz de se tornar muito ganancioso e maldoso quando sua vida é posta em jogo, ainda mais se o prêmio for de um valor bem alto, e que não importa o quanto a gente lute pra conseguir subir na vida, o sistema é bosta demais pra deixar isso acontecer. Entre outros pensamentos que tive enquanto eu assistia Squid Game, essas são as que mais prevaleceram na minha mente.

Enfim, não importa a crítica que eu faça sobre Squid Game, eu devo admitir que vai ser uma obra memorável e até estou ansiosa pela segunda temporada (sim, este tem final aberto), mas claro, não posso negar que eu esperava algo mais incrível vindo de um início tão forte e promissor como foi o de Squid Game, foi realmente um pouco decepcionante...

Obrigada por ler!

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Completed
AnnyCamposBR
4 people found this review helpful
Oct 5, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

Esperava mais do desfecho


Vi pelo Gong Yoo e Lee Byung Hun, quando vi que estavam no elenco decidi dar uma chance a serie. Bom, os jogos foram em si interessantes, uma mistura de blatte royale com kaiji (que lembra os jogos mortais do ocidente), mas deixou pontas soltas (que mesmo uma segunda temporada não responderia, como e a família do Paquistanês? Simplesmente foi esquecida, mas a família dos 'amigos' coreanos, o prota foi lá ajudar) e teve um final previsível, o que decepcionou. colocaram uma mulher para ser vadia (e tem um final idiota e sem sentido para o papel de mulher 'forte' que se propoem), outra que não tinha 'motivo de viver' e simplesmente aparece para morrer, e a norte coreana (fria, desconfiada e que só quer o visto e casa na coreia do sul, como se fosse o único objetivo em vida sair da coreia do norte), tanto ela como o paquistanes, só estão lá para cumprir cota de 'politicamente correto'. O 'amigo' se desvirtua ao começar a matar no jogo e por isso perde o sentido para ele ganhar, e só no final ele se 'redime' para fazer o 'amigo' ganhar. E obvio que temos mais um protagonista que basicamente não faz nada a história inteira, e acaba ganhando 'sem matar' e 'inocente' (o que não é a realidade, só a hipocrisia dele) e nem vou falar do final-final e a decisão dele u.u
*PQ o líder estava nessa função? outra ponta solta u.u

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Completed
Silvia
3 people found this review helpful
Oct 3, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

O que se passa na cabeça da população do mundo?

De cada Kdrama que já assisti, só consigo pensar que não ganhei nada assistindo esse, este está lá embaixo com outros ruins...

Este teve apenas 5 ou mais personagens desenvolvidos em centenas, o resto foi apenas alimento para o canhão de sangue. Mesmo personagens que inicialmente pareciam bem desenvolvidos, na verdade acabam sendo apenas ferramentas baratas para reiterar o tema principal do drama(sangue e morte). Como o policial procurando por seu irmão, você finalmente percebe que seu único propósito no drama é dar uma espiada no horror dos bastidores... kkk rindo ate 2022 COM O CABELO DO PICA PAU

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Completed
Siya
2 people found this review helpful
Feb 16, 2022
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Squid Game ou comment perdre foi en l'humanité

Je ne sais ce qu'il m'est passé par la tête quand j'ai décidé de regarder ce drama alors que je n'aime pas les Survival xD (le seul autre que j'ai vu de ce genre est Battle Royal). Sans doute me suis-je laissée influencée par le succès que l'on m'a dépeint, par le fait que plusieurs personnes de mon entourage l'ont vu également.

Enfin bref... Je ne l'ai sans doute pas regardé pour les bonnes raisons en tout cas. Ce dont je suis sûr c'est que je n'étais pas préparée à ce que j'allais voir. Ce drama m'a vraiment bouleversée et je ne suis pas prête de l'oublier. Reste à déterminer si c'est positif ou négatif xD. Je ne sais pas non plus si je regarderai la saison 2 quand elle sortira.

Quand j'ai débuté cette histoire, on m'a avertie de ne pas m'attacher aux personnages. Je n'ai pas trop compris pourquoi sur le moment mais c'est on ne peut plus vrai. Mieux vaut éviter de s'y attacher. Mais même en ayant été avertie, je n'ai pas pu m'en empêcher (c'est sans doute logique xD).

Un des points qui m'a un peu déçue, voir dérangée, est qu'ils ont fort "américanisé" ce drama. Par exemple:
* Quelque chose qu'on voit souvent dans les séries américaines, c'est le cliché du gars asiatique qui a la tête patibulaire et qui est systématiquement un "mauvais/méchant". J'étais un peu choquée de voir ce cliché ici alors qu'il s'agit d'un drama coréen (mais produit par Netflix... ce qui explique sans doute cela XD).
* Un autre élément très "américain" est la scène des galipettes dans les toilettes O_O... Euh... Ok ! Vous m'expliquez l'intérêt de cette scène? :o Vous ne pouviez pas vous contenter de la sous-entendre? Surtout vu la finalité de cette "relation"... Bref !
* Vous me direz que ce 3ème point est sans doute lié au genre mais j'avais vraiment l'impression de voir du trash pour du trash :o

Bonne nouvelle ! Pour les clichés américains, je n'ai rien à ajouter XD

Je ne peux pas dire que ce sont des points que j'ai "aimé" vu que j'ai été épouvantée par ce que j'ai vu mais... l'histoire est vraiment bien construite et nous montre un aperçu abominable de ce que peut faire l'espèce humaine pour survivre. Je peux aussi dire que les acteurs étaient extrêmement convaincants et ils ont bien réussi à me transmettre l'émotion.

Plusieurs éléments m'avaient été dit à l'avance (oui, par définition, c'est ce qu'on appelle du spoil XD) mais malgré ça, à aucun moment ce qu'on m'a révélé n'a réussi à atténuer l'impact du moment quand je l'ai vu. Je me dis que c'est peut-être pour ça qu'il a eu tant de succès.

Pour ma part, je ne sais toujours pas si je l'ai aimé ou non.

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  • Score: 8.4 (scored by 151,392 users)
  • Ranked: #670
  • Popularity: #13
  • Watchers: 204,673

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